Serving up thanks

November 7, 2012 by Sue Reeves

Volunteers are being recruited to help serve a Thanksgiving lunch to staff and participants of the Developmental Skills Lab (DSL). Organizers are hopeful that it will be beginning of an annual tradition.

The idea for the lunch resulted from a conversation between Jeff Sheen, Shane Johnson and DSL director Drake Rasmussen after the CPD’s October Brown Bag.

“It just really struck us that they’re (the DSL staff) not in our building and it’s just too easy to forget about them,” said Johnson, the CPD’s associate director of development.

“We wondered how we can help the staff over there feel more connected with the Center, because even at CPD gatherings they can’t all come,” said Sheen, CPD training and development specialist.

“We just want to provide them with a lunch, so they can literally just sit back and enjoy it,” Johnson added.

The festivities are planned for Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 11 a.m. at the Developmental Skills Lab.

Lee’s Marketplace in Logan has agreed to donate two roasted turkeys for the lunch. Donations are being accepted to cover the cost of the remaining food.

“We also need a handful of folks to serve, set up and clean up,” Sheen said.

The event is meant to show appreciation for the staff at DSL.

“It’s an expression of gratitude for what they do,” Sheen said, “a chance to get the staff from over here (at the CPD) over there to the DSL to connect.

To donate cash or to sign up to help serve the lunch, contact Sheen at 797-8113 or Johnson at 797-9070.

The Developmental Skills Laboratory (formerly known as Bear River Activity and Skill Center), is housed on the Utah State University campus and is designed to support adults with disabilities by training and maintaining the skills necessary for their greatest independence. In addition, DSL focuses on providing their participants with activities that encourage their inclusion into the community.